[Washougal Frank]

Would be interested in hearing from anyone who has put a V8 (400/455??) in a 50/51. Current Srgt 8 has been sitting open(no head) for 35+ years when I bought the car. Also highly interested in upgrading front brakes to disk (recommendations?) or suspension inprovements. Anyone in the southern Wash State area having done this swap that would be willing to show and tell would be great. All feedback appreciated.

[Washougal Frank]

Would be interested in hearing from anyone who has put a V8 (400/455??) in a 50/51. Current Srgt 8 has been sitting open(no head) for 35+ years when I bought the car. Also highly interested in upgrading front brakes to disk (recommendations?) or suspension inprovements. Anyone in the southern Wash State area having done this swap that would be willing to show and tell would be great. All feedback appreciated.

[Floyd Hand]

In either 1953 or 54, Pontiac installed the new 287 V/8 ( New for 1955) in a test car. I don't remember if it was a 53 or 54.

It should not be much of a job to install a later V/8. Add motor mounts to front frame rails and fab or modify the cross member for the later trans.

Someone will jump in that has done this swap.

[61man]

I saw one with a 389 tri-power installed, so it can be done. I think that FAT MAN makes a conversion kit for the disk brake conversion. You might want to check that out.

http://kurtspontiac.homestead.com/Pre1964Pontiacs.html

[Goatracer1]

The 287 V8 was due to be installed in 1953 so the factory make the engine compartment bigger. The V8 will fit in earlier cars but is a tighter fit.

[Rocky 389]

I helped my buddy and fellow club member put a 428 in his 40 sedan. We cheated and used a trans am subframe. Had to trim the inner fender panels a bit for upper control arm clearance and trim around the radiator saddle. If you look close, you can see the front-steer steering box behind the left grille half. We had to cut a little clearance hole in the panel behind the grille to clear the steer box.
I'm preparing to stab a 389 in a 41. Still collecting parts to do the work next winter.
BTW, the 40 drives like dream with the trans am front sub..variable ratio power steering and a big, thick 1.25" stabilizer bar.

Roll around in the excitement

[axle]

first of all......WELCOME ROCKY!
i was pleasantly surprised to finally see your name on here! its cool to have another close friend on the performance years.i'm on here more than i'm on the hamb. your gonna dig it for sure especially since there's a lot of early poncho people that post on here....stuff you and i can relate to.
as for the installation question....sure can put a pontiac V8 in a 50/51 . i've seen dreaded big block chevy's installed in these cars.
email me or rocky and we should be able to find a street rod fabricaton shop near your neck of the woods who can not only fit the engine/trans in but make/weld the mounts as well.
axle

[Rocky 389]

Well, thanks for the welcome, Alex but about the street rod and fab shop in my area? PFFFFTT! I don't need no steenking rod shop to sub my Poncho. I did my own 53 Ford [sorry for using the F-word] pickup with a camaro sub in my home garage. It's the prep that takes all the time. Mine came out wonderful and I drove the wheels off that little truck. Made a completely different machine outta the pickup with the Z-28/Trans-Am 1.25" stabilizer bar and variable ratio Power steer box. Very enjoyable to drive..

Roll around in the excitement